Man City exits could give Pep Guardiola his toughest Premier League challenge

Everyone connected with Manchester City knew that this summer was likely to be busier than recent transfer windows — perhaps not quite this busy though.

In recent years City's business has followed a particular pattern: signing up key players to new contracts, convincing those weighing up a move to stay put and adding one or two key players to reinforce an already brilliant squad. This summer looks set to be different in the sense that a number of key players — who in an ideal world City and Pep Guardiola would like to keep hold of — are keen to leave the club.

That means that City's business this summer could be their riskiest for some time, and that the 2022/23 campaign could be Guardiola's toughest challenge since his first season at the Etihad Stadium.

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Something of an exodus of experienced and reliable players appears to be brewing at City. Confirmation of Gabriel Jesus' £45million transfer to Arsenal is imminent, the second major departure of the summer after his compatriot Fernandinho left upon the expiration of his contract.

Raheem Sterling could well follow Jesus to London, only he is set to join Chelsea. The England star has been inconsistent since 2020, and is keen to move to a side where he will play more of a key role. After a brief resurgence in November and December 2021, the 27-year-old's form once again became patchy, and relations with Guardiola reportedly became strained after the winger started neither of the Champions League semi-final ties against Real Madrid.

Chelsea are also keen on signing City centre-back Nathan Ake — although MEN Sport understands that City will not sell unless an offer of at least £50m is put on the table and